The weather in the village was bitterly cold.
Especially on rainy days. The sky was dark and the wind and rain were strong. When the wind blew, it felt like it could penetrate one’s bones.
Cold.
Piercing cold.
No less chilling than those days deep in the mountains.
Qiao Shu, wrapped in a large cotton coat, huddled under the eaves, watching the vast and mighty rain outside. The breath he exhaled turned into a white mist.
He stomped his feet and rubbed his hands.
“Today’s rain is good, a rare rain. Everyone, hurry up and prepare the equipment. Let’s strive to shoot this scene perfectly before the rain stops.”
The director, wearing a large raincoat, excitedly directed in the rain. “Put this here, over there, quickly clean up the plastic garbage bags on the ground over there…”
“Martial arts team…”
Qiao Shu reached out and touched the rain outside the eaves. It was cold and icy. He gave Tang Ting a wry smile and then asked, “Do you need some Cold medicine?”
Tang Ting: “…”
Tang Ting: “Yes.”
Cheng Yunchuan: “Get me one too.”
The three of them crouched under the eaves, drinking Cold medicine. After finishing, they stretched against the mud wall for a while, loosening up their bodies. Meanwhile, the director and the crew finally got the set ready and were satisfied.
The elderly and children in the village who wanted to earn money as extras changed into rough hemp clothes on this rainy day.
However, they weren’t going to act in the rain scene. The film crew didn’t dare let them get wet. Their roles mainly involved cooperating indoors, getting knocked down by a knife or lying on the bed pretending to sleep, waiting to be “killed.”
“Tang Ting, you three, get ready. Makeup artist, check if the makeup is okay…”
The director shouted through a megaphone, “Props team, double-check the props…”
“Qiao Qiao, let me fix your lip color again.” The makeup artist approached with a powder puff and lipstick.
Qiao Shu cooperatively crouched down and tilted his head slightly.
After fixing the makeup, Qiao Shu took a deep breath and took off the large cotton coat he was wearing.
Underneath was a thin but gorgeously embroidered black nightwear.
Qiao Shu shivered for a while.
“Put this on.” The stylist handed a black and white mask with a mountain demon design to Qiao Shu. Instantly, Qiao Shu’s delicate face was covered above his lips, leaving only a pair of light-colored lips and a delicate chin exposed in the air.
“The cloak?”
“Coming, coming.”
Wearing the black cloak and a wide hat covering his head, along with the black and white mountain demon mask, Qiao Shu’s presence suddenly became eerie and terrifying.
He played the role of a newly appointed dark cult leader, concealing his identity to gain the trust of the female protagonist, and exhibiting a sinister and ruthless demeanor.
Director: “Get ready, props team, double-check the weapons one last time…”
Qiao Shu’s look was already done, and the stylist went to check Tang Ting and Cheng Yunchuan, the male and female leads.
He moved his body to retain warmth and then glanced at the full-length mirror in the room.
A bit edgy!
And a bit cool!
Qiao Shu looked at Ou Yinan, “Where’s my phone? Is it with you?”
Ou Yinan: “Yes.”
Qiao Shu: “Uh, help me take a picture.”
Ou Yinan took out the phone from his pocket.
Qiao Shu swung away the black and cool cloak on him with one hand, slightly raised his head, immersed in the role, revealing a cunning yet innocent gaze.
Click
Qiao Shu broke character, “Take another one for me.”
This time, he faced the camera lens, showing a radiant smile, and even made a scissor hand gesture.
Click
The photo was taken again.
Qiao Shu: “Let me see.”
Ou Yinan handed the phone to Qiao Shu, who carefully examined the two pictures, nodded in satisfaction, then opened WeChat and sent the photos to Gu Chenyan.
Qiao Shu: Handsome or not?
Qiao Shu: Cool or not?
Busy Gu Chenyan didn’t reply promptly, but Qiao Shu felt satisfied after sending the messages.
He handed the phone to Ou Yinan.
The director happened to start calling for people.
Lu Yue, making the most of the last bit of time, brought Qiao Shu some ginger tea with red sugar using a straw.
“Why are there suddenly people here?”
“Who are they?”
“Seems like doctors?”
…
Qiao Shu was about to go out when he heard whispers and discussions around him. He glanced at those people and followed their gaze toward the heavy rain.
A group of men and women in white coats, carrying equipment and medical boxes, got off a nanny car and walked toward their film crew.
“Oh, almost forgot.” The busy director, seeing this group, paused for a moment, then suddenly slapped his forehead and quickly went to meet them.
Director: “Hello, hello. Thanks for coming on such a rainy day.”
The lead doctor, a man nearing forty, nodded, “Hello, not a bother. Could you please tell us where to put our things?”
Director: “Follow me, follow me. We got the news yesterday and prepared a place for you in the house.”
“Right this way.”
The director led the group into a nearby clean, spacious, and dry room. He then called over some crew members to help the doctors organize their things.
Director: “Sorry, I can’t personally attend to you. If you need anything, just ask Xiao Xu and the others. I’m busy here, so I’ll take my leave.”
The lead doctor nodded, “Don’t worry about us.” Then he turned to the people left by the director, “We received a mission for a free clinic this time. We’ll be staying here for two or three days. Today’s rain is heavy, so could you please help us spread the word within the crew? Both the crew members and the elderly and children in the village can come for free medical check-ups.”
Qiao Shu looked at Ou Yinan in confusion, “Are these people doctors?”
Before Ou Yinan could speak, the director, with a megaphone in hand, shouted, “The benefactor dad is concerned about us filming in the heavy rain during winter. He specially arranged a team of doctors for us. For the next two days, whether it’s crew members or villagers, if you feel unwell, go see the doctors for free.”
Benefactor?
Thinking about the chef team from the production crew, Qiao Shu turned excitedly to Ou Yinan, seeking confirmation.
Ou Yinan nodded, “Young Master, it’s the medical team Mr. Gu prepared.”
It really was Gu Chenyan!
Qiao Shu’s eyes sparkled, and a sweet and warm feeling filled his heart. It felt like he had grown wings and wanted to fly.
Why did Gu Chenyan bring a medical team to the set at this time? Qiao Shu could not be ignorant.
During the last filming in the deep mountains, he got soaked in the cold water, got a fever, and frightened Gu Chenyan. The latter rushed to Yancheng, leaving his meeting behind.
And this time…
While chatting, Qiao Shu casually mentioned the rain scene, and Gu Chenyan not only remembered but also arranged everything for him.
“Gu Chenyan…”
Qiao Shu whispered softly.
Then he burst into silly laughter.
How could this man be so good?
Tang Ting and the others were also extremely surprised!
Tang Ting: “A medical team!” She widened her eyes and exclaimed in amazement, “Oh my, this is my first time seeing it! The big boss is really cool!”
Usually, film crews only have one or two emergency medical personnel, not something as professional as this.
Cheng Yunchuan: “Too extravagant! Both a chef team and a medical team! I’m sure those multi-million-dollar production crews don’t have better treatment than our crew!”
“Wuwuwu, in the next drama, I must also find myself in the arms of the big boss!”
Tang Ting: “Me too…”
After eating the crew’s meals, Tang Ting was afraid that after the production wrapped, she wouldn’t be able to eat takeout or her own ordinary cooking again.
The chef that the big boss found was so skilled, the food was really delicious!
How did she ever think her cooking was good before?
Cheng Yunchuan: “Look at all this professional equipment, it feels so cool. Hiring a medical team like this for a day must cost a lot, right?”
Tang Ting: “Even more than that. Didn’t you hear? Free medical consultations! Free medicinal herbs!”
Cheng Yunchuan: Tears of envy flow from his mouth. “How much does this cost?”
Tang Ting shook her head in a daze, “I don’t know.”
“Definitely not cheap.”
On the side, the sweet Qiao Shu: “…”
Commoner Qiao Shu, amidst the sweetness, started feeling distressed. How much money must Gu Chenyan be spending on this?
Can this drama really make a profit?
Qiao Shu: QAQ
Feeling the pressure!
No! I must work harder! I can’t let Gu Chenyan suffer losses!
This time, Gu Chenyan spent a considerable amount of money.
The medical team was hired from the Fang family hospital, led by a chief physician.
To bring professionals to this remote mountain village and not waste medical resources, Gu Chenyan decided to spend money on a free medical clinic. This not only took care of Qiao Shu but also benefited the elderly and children in this impoverished mountain village.
This mountain village was originally impoverished, with most of the young people working outside. The elderly here often refrained from eating well, and those feeling unwell preferred enduring pain rather than traveling to a clinic, let alone a hospital.
The film crew didn’t make much fuss about this matter. Soon, everyone entered the filming process, and Qiao Shu prepared for the action scene in the pouring rain.
Flying up and down, wielding a long sword, the heavy cloak on his body became soaked in the downpour. Even with the mask on, rainwater infiltrated, making the black clothes cling to his body, drenched. Raindrops fell into his eyes.
The fight continued.
The martial arts choreographer and the director were directing on the side, “After jumping onto the roof, swing the cloak towards them, the movement must be quick.”
“Tang Ting, don’t jump out of the frame…”
“Cheng Yunchuan, act weaker…”
It was a one-on-two duel, with Qiao Shu playing the role of the new leader of the demonic sect trying to take the male lead’s life but being obstructed by the female lead. In the end, the female lead, in order to save the male lead and the villagers, courageously consumed a pill that Qiao Shu, disguised as the sect leader, had given her for fun. This pill could enhance internal strength but had side effects.
The eyes beneath Qiao Shu’s mask became furious.
“Kill without mercy!”
On a rainy night, countless members of the demonic sect followed the command of their leader, invading the village. They kicked open the doors of each house, ruthlessly killing the innocent villagers.
With nearly a hundred extras and various martial arts movements, even though the film crew started shooting early in the morning, they barely managed to finish this major scene before midnight.
When the scene ended, despite drinking many bowls of ginger tea midway, the lips and faces of Qiao Shu and his two companions turned pale, like blank sheets of paper. Their bodies trembled incessantly, and their respective assistants hurriedly helped them into the warm house.
The doctors, already on standby, quickly examined the three of them.
Then they were taken to pre-prepared tubs filled with hot water for a bath.
Immersed in the hot water, Qiao Shu finally felt his body coming back to life. He breathed out gently.
Fortunately, there were no more demanding fight scenes afterward. If they continued at this pace, even the healthiest bodies would be exhausted.
After a day of shooting, their bodies were weary. When Qiao Shu emerged from the bath, he couldn’t even spare a glance at his phone; he climbed into bed and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Ou Yinan and Lu Yue, following the doctor’s instructions, took turns staying awake at night to watch over Qiao Shu, guarding against the possibility of him developing a fever in the middle of the night.
Fortunately, Qiao Shu didn’t fall ill this time. When he woke up the next day, he felt refreshed.
After freshening up, Qiao Shu replied to the messages that Gu Chenyan had sent the night before, assuring him not to worry and expressing that he was completely fine this time. He even sent a selfie.
Lu Yue brought in breakfast.
The morning meal, prepared according to the doctor’s advice, was a medicinal congee designed to dispel cold and dampness.
Putting down his phone, Qiao Shu asked, “How are Tang Ting and the others?”
The situation was too chaotic last night, and Qiao Shu didn’t have the energy to care for others.
Lu Yue: “Tang Ting had a slight fever last night, and her assistant called a doctor to check on her. By morning, I found out that the fever had subsided.”
“Everyone else is fine.”
Qiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good.”
The rain had subsided, the sun had come out, but the ground outside was still damp, with many muddy puddles. Considering that the entire film crew had been busy all day yesterday, the director decided to give everyone a day off to rest and recuperate.
Qiao Shu stepped outside to bask in the sun.
It was already late in the morning, and as he walked, he noticed many elderly people and children sitting outside the house where the medical team had been stationed yesterday.
“Medical treatment is really free? Is there such a good thing?”
“It seems so.”
“I heard from the crew that they also provide some free medicine here, amazing.”
“Could it be a scam?”
“These are all celebrities. If they’re getting treatment here, it’s probably real.”
“Anyway, it’s free. Let’s give it a try.”
“True, my leg has been hurting for decades. It won’t hurt to check, and what if it gets cured?”
…
Qiao Shu also saw an elderly person crying and grabbing the hand of the consulting doctor, expressing gratitude.
In that moment, warmth filled Qiao Shu’s heart.
He smiled.
Then, he took out his phone and snapped a photo of the people seeking medical attention.
Qiao Shu sent the photo to Gu Chenyan.
Qiao Shu: Mr. Gu, the sunshine is lovely today.
Author’s note:
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrients during the period from 2021-01-25 04:06:46 to 2021-01-26 04:30:37~
Special thanks to the little angel who set off the landmine: 31491970 (1 contribution);
Gratitude to the nurturing angels: Bofeng Yimian 10 bottles; Super obedient me 6 bottles; Ranruo & Qingchen 5 bottles; Jiufang Chenyue 1 bottle;
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to strive!
⌈Weekend chapters: 0⌉ ⌊Progress: 1/2 ⌋
